Bill Is the Best Boss!

Bill Is the Best Boss!

Article excerpt

THE head of Teesside's Wilton Group has been named the North-east's top boss.

Bill Scott, who co-founded the firm in 1994 and turned it into an pounds 84m turnover operation with around 600 staff, was presented with the region's most prestigious business accolade last night.

The 28th North East Business Executive of the Year Awards, organised by the Evening Gazette and The Journal, took place at the Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park.

Mr Scott, Wilton Group's chief executive, has turned the firm into one of the fastest growing companies in the region.

The North-east title, which he took after first being crowned Teesside's best executive, caps yet another extraordinary period of growth for the Port Clarence firm which has bought four companies in the last three years and aims to see its revenues top pounds 100m next year.

The business, which provides fabrication and site services for the offshore and petrochemical industries, this year opened a factory in Dundee and two new offices in Brazil.

Mr Scott paid tribute to his team at last night's awards, adding: "Our vision was always to create a business that would grow and we've pushed and pushed to get that vision."

With hopes of creating more jobs and securing further contract wins, Mr Scott said 2012 was set to be a "fantastic" year for the company.

Mr Scott beat Tyneside and Northumberland winner Michael Sandford-Couch of Potts Print in Cramlington and Durham and Wearside winner Phil Cronin of Tombola in Sunderland to take the top regional title.

The awards also saw a new honour for 2011 - the Outstanding Achievement Award - which went to Jon Bolton, director of Tata Steel Long Products.

He was given the title for his key role in the battle to save Redcar's steelworks which will now see steel making restart next year.

North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive James Ramsbotham, who presented the award, said: "No-one worked harder, or had a greater influence on saving steel making on Teesside.

"He never lost faith in the potential to retain steel making on Teesside, and has fought continuously over the last few years, even when many others had given up. …